ForestXplorer

Explore Kielder Water and Forest Park

The scale of Kielder Forest is enough to take your breath away! At 250 square miles it is England’s largest forest.

But Kielder is not just about trees. At any one time, a quarter of the area of Kielder is open space, including England’s largest area of blanket bog. Kielder is also England’s most important red squirrel reserve, home to the biggest remaining population of red squirrels in the country.

A visit to Kielder will uncover many surprises such as the Minotaur Maze and Skyspace, one of England's largest mountain bike trail network and home to Northumberland's only breeding osprey population.

So if it is adventure or tranquillity and wild beauty you are after then there is something for you in this awe-inspiring place.

Find out what's happening at Kielder over the next few months with our calendar of events.

Food and Drink

Running low on energy after all that exploration and exercise? Kielder Castle cafe (formerly the Duke's Pantry) at Kielder Castle provides the ideal refuelling stop, be it for a meal, drink or just a nibble of cake. Don't worry, we won't tell!

Learning

Kielder Water and Forest Park has been awarded a CLOtC Site Provider Award. The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC) is the national voice for learning outside the classroom. This award recognises organisations which actively welcome schools onto their site/s for self-led visits and ensure that the sites and any other services provided meet the needs of schools.

What do other visitors say?

3 Stars

Enjoyed the visit (September 2016) spent the full day around Keilder Forest & Water.

Positive aspects:

Scenery good. Went on forest trail (drive) paid 3 toll, all fine, much tree felling but that was OK. Road a bit bumpy etc, but to be expected. Signs could do with being refreshed but that was OK.

Negative aspects: No single wildlife seen at all during drive (neither bird, land wildlife or whatever, very disappointing despite a considerable time slowly driving through forest trail/drive. Very disappointing in that respect

Entrances to forest or water, parking charges required, not impressed, was not prepared to stop and park - wanted to stop and go for something to eat, but not prepared to be ripped off twice, charge to park and then pay for meals (which were slightly expensive). That was a let down Went to a pub nearby for meal, no parking charges.

Keilder water - great to see however at Tourist Info points info is very basic. No mention of history, some info boards no info on them, a bit disappointing in that respect.

Otherwise was still worthwhile visiting and glad we did it... but could be improved.

Jim Martin, 13/Sep/2016

5 Stars

I hadn't visited the area in more than fifteen years and had forgotten quite how lovely it is.

I now have two daughters who were utterly enchanted by the views and wide open spaces. I seemed to remember that 'Kielder' was both the biggest man made forest and reservoir in Europe, is that still the case?

Ian Paul, 10/May/2016

Kielder is certainly the largest man-made reservoir in the UK and one of the largest in Northern Europe, and the forest is the largest planted in England (Galloway Forest narrowly pips Kielder to the UK title).

Forestry Commission Response

Hi,

Can I just say that kielder is one of my favourite places in the UK. Could you please tell me when the car park at lewisburn will be open for the public to use.

Thanks

Paul Monaghan , 5/May/2016

Thank you for your kind comments about Kielder and I'm glad you find it such a special place. The Lewisburn car park will hopefully be reopened for the school summer holidays in July.

Information, exhibition about Kielder Forest and cafe located at Kielder Castle.

Viewpoint

Views of the reservoir from Elf Kirk and other spectacular panoramas from Deadwater Fell, Kielder Observatory and the Lonesome Pine MTB Trail.

Water sports

Many forms of watersport are available on Kielder Water, for general information contact Leaplish Waterside Park: 01434 251000

Toliets

Toilets, including disabled toilets and baby change facilities can be found at Kielder Castle. An outlying toilet block is located at Blakehopeburnhaugh. Northumbria Water provide toilet facilities on the Lakeside Way at Leaplish, Tower Knowe, Hawkhope and Matthews Linn.

Wildlife

Osprey and red squirrel viewing at Kielder Castle.Kielder Salmon Centre in Kielder village open seasonally.Kielder Bird of Prey Centre at Leaplish Waterside Park open daily.

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From the nearby villages of Bellingham and Newcastleton follow signs to Kielder Water and Forest Park which will take you onto the C200 - the road which runs adjacent to the southern shore of Kielder Water., Access to the forest can be gained from a number of points along the C200, alternatively continue to Kielder Castle Forest Park Centre at the northern end of Kielder Water., By Public Transport: On Sundays during the summer, the ‘Kielder Bus’ (service number 714, Arriva) runs a morning service between the Metro Centre and Kielder village, returning late afternoon.